Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Is it legal under the UAE labour law to dismiss someone for redundancy, in particular as this is not linked to restructuring, factory closure, business resizing...etc? Regards, EAM

Q: I am working in the HR department in one of the private companies for the last 12 years. Last week I received a redundancy letter from the HR manager terminating me for reducing people. However, the actual reason is something else. I have sent an email to our company helpline on the HR manager and complained about him, and he came to know that I have sent an email to the senior manager. It was only me who got this letter from the HR department. Now, they got a replacement for my position. Can I file a complaint against the company in the labour court? Please advise.

Q: Sir, What are my rights (terminal benefits) when terminated from employment as the company does not require my service? There are no negative records in my service period and the company is now trying to reduce the cost as they have fewer jobs than expected. I have worked for 2 years and 4 months (stamped second visa). How will it be if termination with immediate effect and/or immediate termination with the salary in lieu of one-month notice?

Q: Hello, I am originally from the UK and relocated to Dubai in 2004 when my company established a new office. I originally joined the same company in 2001, based in the London office. Since then, I have grown with the organization and am in a middle management role. Recently, the company announced they would downsize the Dubai office, and affected staff would be offered to relocate back to an office in their home country (India) or to the new office being established in Spain. I have been advised that my present role will be made redundant in Dubai but have been offered a new role in Spain. The new role is seen as a promotion but there are little to no benefits and it's a major drop in salary (basic salary would drop by 40%). There are no additional allowances. Currently, I receive basic salary + allowances. I have been in the UAE since 2004 and my options appear to be limited to accept redundancy or a new role with a significant drop in salary. Would this be considered constructive dismissal?

Q: I have been working in Dubai with a company for 2 years now. Last year, I was “verbally” promised of promotion but due to Covid19, things changed. Two months ago, we went for an interview to decide who will be selected. We are six; including a guy who since joining the company was transferred to 4 different locations because of sexual harassment without taking any action against him because his cousin works as a financial manager in the head office. Everyone was surprised when he was selected despite everything, our direct manager told me that they were going to terminate him but things changed. I want to know if there is anything that can be done. I have witnesses to his previous behavior and reports; the majority of the team knows about him but afraid to come forward because they might lose their jobs, so what can we do? Thank you for your help! I need advice on whether to go after this or forgot it.

Q: I work for my employer starting from 09/02/2021 till 08/02/2023. Earlier, I was receiving AED 2000 total salary. Basic Salary: 1500, Accommodation and Transportation: 500. Even though my contract states: Basic Salary: 1500, Accommodation Allowance: First Party, Transportation Allowance:  First Party and no amount was stated for such allowances. My employer suddenly reduced my total salary to 1500 since April 2021 and refused to provide me a decent accommodation. Upon filing a complaint, my employer arbitrarily dismissed me from work on the 28th of December 2021 without salary from December till now. He ordered his PRO to throw my laptop bag and belongings outside the shop, locked me outside and stopped me from working till today. This is my case. Please, what do you suggest I claim now? Because even though my employer terminated me, he never put it in writing but was practically done.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My husband has been working for a company for 4.5 years. However, he was terminated with a one-month notice until the end of February due to company losses. Can he receive three months' salary, gratuity, and leave? Thank you!

An interview-format article covering the topic of employment termination without a valid reason in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. Ludmila discusses the aspects of termination, like notice periods, end of service benefits, arbitrary dismissal, unpaid salaries etc.

The UAE has adopted a major reform in its legislative system that brought about 40 new laws and amendments to the company law, criminal law, personal status, among others. The amendments aim to develop the legislative structure in various sectors, the labor law being one of these, was the most recent. We try in this article to shed light on the changes introduced with the new labor law and their significance on both, the employer and employee.

The provisions of this Law, known as "UAE Labour Law", govern the relationship between employers and employees and other labour matters in the United Arab Emirates. There are special labour related regulations applicable in some of the free zones in the UAE.

This Decree sets the rules and conditions for the termination of fixed-term (limited) or unlimited (not term-bound) employment contract between employer and worker in the United Arab Emirates.

The provisions of this Decree-Law, known as "New UAE Labor Law", govern labour relations in the private sector of the United Arab Emirates. The New Labor Law repeals the previous UAE Labor Law (Federal Law No. (8) of 1980).